Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane will miss his side’s second leg tie of their Champions League semi-final clash with Chelsea through injury, the club confirmed.
The France international played no part in the second-half as Los Blancos strolled to a 2-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday.
Real Madrid will need to score at least a goal and avoid defeat at Stamford Bridge to reach the final. But, Zinedine Zidane could sweat on Varane’s absence after the sustained an untimely groin injury.
A statement released on Real’s official website reads: “After the tests carried out today on our player Raphael Varane by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he was diagnosed with an injury to the right abductor muscles.”
Zidane had stated after seeing his side edge out Osasuna that he hoped to see Varane form part of his travelling party to west London.
Despite being hit by a blow, the return of club captain Sergio Ramos would serve as a huge boost to Zidane, who is hoping to see the 34-year-old veteran defender step back in for the first time since facing Atalanta in the Champions League last-16 back on March 16.
Ramos has managed just two appearances for Real since mid-January, with a calf complaint aggravated after returning to action with Spain during the March international break.
The Blancos boss told Movistar on Saturday: “I hope Varane has a small thing, he thinks it is a small thing and I hope so.
“I hope Ramos is back. If he’s good, he’ll be with us.”
